This team had a complete overhaul this summer. The team turned over half the blueline with 2 rookies from within and a major trade acquisition. They added a first line forward and 3 bottom 6 forwards. This team came together in China back in September and as we approach March they are in the midst of their best season in 30 years.
The Flames had assets to acquire Stone, Hayes or Duchene but they would have gutted their system that is already on the shallow side. With 4 blue liners 22 and younger the future is very bright on the Flames blueline. Up front the Flamea have 2 important players to sign this summer in Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk. While Bennett is due a decent raise, Tlachuk is going to most certainly become the teams highest paid player. Those 2 important RFA’s are joined by David Rittich who is on his way to earning a nice pay day. The team still likely looks to shed the contracts of Micheal Stone, Michael Frolik and possibly TJ Brodie this summer which would open up a lot of flexibility for the team.
Had the Flames spent significant assets today the joy of improving the team may only be short lived. Signing Stone would have required making James Neal’s contract magically disappear and would have made the Flames vuncerable to losing Bennett and Rittich to modest offer sheets that offer a 2nd rounder as compensation. Removing Valimaki would make it even harder to part with someone like Brodie who right now looks like a logical cap savings/futures move the Flames can do this summer.
Ultimately I am very curious to know what this Zucker deal would have looked like
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